Do Re MiC D E

Martha's Prize

Walton Cedar4/4medium-swing

Chord Diagrams — Martha's Prize in G# (Guitar)

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Martha's Prize in G#

Key of G#

G# major (or Ab) lives at fret 4 on the low E string. All chords require barre technique, making it less common in guitar-centric songwriting but standard in piano-driven pop. Guitarists often use a capo to access friendlier shapes. G# is a intermediate-advanced-level key on guitar because the open G string is a half step below the root, creating dissonance — avoid letting it ring. Expect to rely on barre chords throughout, which builds hand strength and unlocks the entire fretboard.

Voice Leading

The bass line moves through D# to F (ascending whole step), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to D (ascending tritone), D to C# (descending half step), C# to C (descending half step), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to G# (ascending minor third), G# to D (ascending tritone), D to D# (ascending half step), D# to A (ascending tritone), A to G# (descending half step), G# to G (descending half step), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to F# (ascending half step), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to D# (descending half step), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to B (ascending minor third), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The root motion by larger intervals (fourths and fifths) gives each chord change a strong, decisive character. When the progression loops, the bass returns from A to D# by tritone.

Scales for Improvisation

G# major pentatonic works because every note is either a chord tone or a safe passing tone — there are no avoid notes. For soloing, this means you can play freely without clashing. Over dominant seventh chords, G# Mixolydian adds the flat seventh for an authentic blues-rock edge.

medium-swing4/4 · 48 bars · Form: ABA

Chords: D♯sus4, F, A♯m7, D♯13, G♯maj7, D7♯11, C♯maj7, C7♭13, Fm7, G♯maj7/G, Ddim7, D♯7sus4, Amaj7♯11, G♯o^7, Gm7♭5, C7♭9, Fm6, F♯m7, B7, Emaj7, D♯m7, G♯7♭9, Bm7, E7, Amaj7.

Scales for Improvisation G# bebop, G# bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of G#